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Of course we Tennessee fans like to think that all Alabama fans do is talk about the past and the days of Bear Bryant instead of discussing their recent run of poor coaches and struggles of mediocrity. Nowadays, you’ll likely see more talk of the bright, hopeful future down in Tuscaloosa and an inevitable return to previous glory.
Entering year two under Nick Saban, it’s really hard to deny that he’s beginning to build a talent base that can make that return to national success. Possibly the nation’s best recruiting class in the country last year is now on campus in Tuscaloosa, and even after the disappointing finish to last year, last year’s 6-6 record is all but ignored.
After making the Tennessee coaching staff look completely foolish and incompetent, Bama was in the mix for the West with LSU coming to town two weeks later and went to the wire in the fourth quarter…
Not sure Alabama ever recovered from that series of plays. After a second-straight loss to Mississippi State, UL Monroe as we all know beat the Tide 21-14 and the Auburn won their sixth consecutive Iron Bowl. The Tide limped into Shreveport and salvaged the season beating Colorado.
To be honest, Alabama’s a bit of a mystery this year. The main question I have is how much of an impact will the new, highly-ranked recruiting class have this year? Some of the candidates whom could make big early impacts: WR Julio Jones, OL Tyler Love, JUCO DT Terrance Cody (who’s enormous), and LB Jerrell Harris.
Also, which John Parker Wilson will show up? He was excellent in torching Tennessee’s secondary, but also had this total gem…
Also, who’s he going to throw the ball to? D.J. Hall, Keith Brown, and Matt Caddell are all gone and that’s where Jones could make a big impact. The rest of the offense should be pretty solid, with a backfield of Terry Grant, Glen Coffee, and Roy Upchurch, running behind an experienced OL led by Andre Smith and Antoine Caldwell.
And here’s how Saban could counter the G-Gun and Gerald Jones (although Saban wasn’t there when Bama played in the ‘06 Independence Bowl): throw it to Andre Smith…
While the offense should be pretty good, there might be a few more questions on defense. In the 3-4 that Alabama runs, you obviously don’t need more than six defensive lineman, and Bama should be fine up front. The biggest loss is Wallace Gilberry, who struggled at times last year but still had 17 tackles for loss and 10 sacks.
Linebacker might be a little different story, as the unfortunate issue with Ezekial Knight, the cocaine selling-induced dismissal of Jimmy Johns, and the three-game suspension of Prince Hall has left little around stud Rolando McClain. Much like Julio Jones, this could be where Jerrell Harris makes his mark.
The secondary loses Simeon Castille, but CB Kareem Jackson started 12 games as a true freshman and FS Rashad Johnson somewhat surprisingly led the Tide in tackles. With holes to fill there as well, there’s certain potential for freshman impact.
With the likely inexperience and youth – although talented – that Bama will likely have to use this year at some positions, having road games in Fayetteville, Athens, Knoxville, and Baton Rouge could be a little dicey. Throw in the opener against a talented Clemson team in Atlanta and the finale against Auburn, this year could be similar to last year.
Nevertheless, I wouldn’t write this team off. Although I don’t seem them seriously contending with Auburn and LSU for the West title, a bowl (Shreveport’s beautiful in late December…) and winning season would be a solid start. Truth be told, an upset or two isn’t a reach. Still, it’s probably another year before we can throw Bama in there with the two Tigers atop the division. Hey, I mean I guess talking about the future’s better than talking about the past…
Uh, is it just me or has everyone already forgotten who won the National Title last year? It was LSU by the way. For a defending national champion, I sure don’t hear as much chatter about the Tigers as I do about Georgia, or Florida, or Auburn, or USC, Ohio State, West Virginia, so on and so forth.
After being banged up most of the year, LSU used the time between the SEC Championship Game and the BCS National Championship to get healthy and I think it’s pretty accurate to say LSU at 100% last year was the nation’s top team.
However LSU lost a number of key parts (seniors) from that team – Matt Flynn, Jacob Hester, Early Doucet, Craig Steltz, Ali Highsmith, Glenn Dorsey, Luke Sanders, Chevis Jackson, and Jonathan Zenon (I cringe at the mention of his name…). But when you have the talented depth that LSU has, you don’t have rebuilding seasons – you just reload and keep winning.
That’s why writing LSU off as the “underdog” to Auburn in the West is foolish. This team is still loaded at all of the skill positions offensively and have plenty of experience and talent along the OL. Obviously with the now-ended saga of troubles and dismissal of Ryan Perrylou, the hole at QB is gaping.
But it’s not like whoever the QB’s going to be – either Harvard transfer Andrew Hatch or redshirt freshman Jarrett Lee or maybe even true freshman Jordan Jefferson – has to go out and win games for LSU. He’ll just have to manage the game, spread the ball around, and not make crucial mistakes. Granted, the QB will at some point have to make a big play, but the LSU QB has so many weapons around him that his job really ain’t that hard.
For example, you have a continuing line of NFL WRs to throw to like Brandon LaFell and Demetrius Byrd (Terrance Toliver is no slouch either). Richard Dickson’s pretty solid over the middle at the TE position. Even easier, you can just hand the ball off to one of these guys:
(1) Keiland Williams…
(I could have made that throw)
(2) or Charles Scott…
(3) or maybe the most dangerous, Trindon Holliday…
(above LSU vids by WebWideLeader)
And when you’re running/passing behind a line of Brett Helms, Lyle Hitt, Herman Johnson, and Ciron Black, you really like it. In other words, if the LSU QB is even just slightly above average, look out.
For as much offensive talent as LSU has produced in recent years, when you think LSU you tend to think a mean, scary defense – especially the front four. LSU has five of the SEC’s best linemen – ends Kirston Pittman (#49) and Tyson Jackson (#93) and tackles Marlon Favorite, Ricky Jean-Francois (#90), and Al Woods. RJF played in two games last year and was the defensive MVP of the BCS Title Game. LSU probably has the best lines in the SEC.
Darry Beckwith (more cringing…) is the only linebacker returning and free safety Curtis Taylor is the only returning starter in the secondary, so there’s reasons for concern at least experience-wise, especially in the secondary. Despite that, you know those young, inexperienced guys are still going to be (1) really fast, (2) really athletic, and (3) really talented.
Also don’t discount the loss of Bo Pelini to Nebraska, as he was a excellent defensive coordinator. LSU will feature co-defensive coorindators this year with DBs coach Doug Mallory and LBs coach Dale Peveto. With those two guys you’re likely going to see probably the same defense for the most part.
Also, the cycle of luck and fortune says that LSU won’t get all the bounces and tough yards (and bonehead throws by senior QBs) this year as that they did last year. Keep an eye on that. Les Miles, much maligned for his seemingly idiotic coaching, has a chance to shut people up this year – as if that ring and crystal football haven’t done it already.
Our first good look at LSU actually won’t be at Auburn September 20 – it will be the opening Saturday against Appalachian State. However, it’s not gonna happen this year, so stop thinking about it happening. Ellis-Shoe also has trips to Gainesville and Columbia and Georgia at home back-to-back-to-back in October, but I don’t see any Ls anywhere else.
Perhaps people should be talking about the talent at the skill spots and along the lines instead of the hole at QB – there they’ll see the West favorite.
His mere name strikes fear into every one of us Tennessee people. I also figured the few of you that read my site hadn’t heard his name enough so I decided to use it. And here’s that name a few more times just for the hell of it…
Incredible editing job there. Anyways, the Gates have gotten so much publicity and are so loved by ESPN, who showed their spring game, that everyone forgets they were 9-4 last year and lost to Michigan in the bowl game. Of course they absolutely crushed Tennessee (I know, I was there) so that’s probably why we Vol fans have reservations about our chances of beating Florida this year.
Tebow scored 55 TDs last year. Think about that. It’s ridiculous! Then again, when you’re your team’s QB and short-yardage/goal-line running back you’ll score…alot. And he did. He perfectly fits the gimmicky offense of his lover coach Urban Meyer. To Meyer’s credit (about the only thing I can credit the man for), he’s recruited the fastest bunch of players this side of the Jamaican track team.
Percy Harvin, Chris Rainey, Brandon James, Mon Williams, Kestahn Moore, Jeff Demps, Louis Murphy, Riley Cooper (ask LaMarcus Coker), all have blazing speed and can turn a simple end-around into six with a missed tackle. However, a huge part of that offense, TE Cornelius Ingram, a mismatch nightmare for defensive coordinators around the world, tore his ACL and won’t play a down this year. I honestly felt horrible for the guy since he withdrew from the NFL Draft to come back. The health of Harvin has also been a little in doubt with his nagging heel injury that required surgery in the offseason.
The wildcard for the Gators is USC transfer Emmanuel Moody. Florida’s leading rushers last year were Tebow and Harvin and the use of a halfback was minimal at best. They still averaged 42.5 points/game, why would they add in a halfback now? I’m not sure how I can see Moody fitting in to the offense, but Meyer will have to find some way to take care of Tebow and not let him get as banged up as he did last year. Another possibility is using backup QB Cam Newton a la Tebow 2006. Ask Dennis Rogan about Newton (although Rogan has come so far since that awful September afternoon).
I still wonder how good Florida is along the lines, since line play is essential to winning championships. The OL should be pretty good with the Pouncey brothers, and senior returning starters Jim Tartt and Jason Watkins. Also back in the mix is Phil Trautwein, a 2006 2nd Team All-SEC selection who missed all of last year. So that’s a group that might have improved, and they only gave up 13 sacks last year as it was.
Florida’s defense was iffy last year and the reason they lost four games with the Heisman winner. It wasn’t necessarily the front seven that was the trouble, it was the secondary that had a tendency to give up big plays.
Up front Florida did a decent job for replacing an entire line that’s in the NFL (or in jail) now. Still, I want to see what Urban does when he doesn’t have Ron Zook’s linemen. The ends are scary – Jermaine Cunningham had 6.5 sacks last year and Carlos Dunlap has NFL potential – but DT depth is a concern after the no-show of Torrey Davis, despite the return of Mr. AK-47 himself Ronnie Wilson. The front needs to be able to allow the fast LB corps of Brandon Spikes (#51), Dustin Doe, and A.J. Jones to range and make plays.
As for that iffy secondary, the CBs – Jacques Rickerson, Joe Haden, Wondy Pierre-Louis, and Markihe Anderson better have improved. The safety siutation is a total mess – Dorian Munroe and John Curtis will miss the season, leaving Major Wright (#21) and possibly highly-touted Will Hill – and of utmost concern.
The bottom line is as long as the defense improves just a little bit, the offense should be enough to win games for Florida. The best way to stop this offense seems to be to (a) not let them get into any sort of rhythm, (b) make Tebow beat you with his arm, and (3) hit them in the mouth many times. Auburn and Georgia were both really physical with the Gators, and Michigan wasn’t exactly love-tapping them either. That and hope to force turnovers or you’re gonna have to score 40+ to win.
Of the three East contenders (sorry South Carolina), Florida has the most favorable schedule, drawing Ole Miss and Arkansas out of the West and getting LSU at home. Since 1992 Florida has lost ten more games to SEC West teams than to SEC East teams despite playing 36 less games against West teams (thank you Phil Steele). A split against Tennessee and Georgia isn’t undoable, so that alone has me putting Florida as the team to beat in the East.
…and Auburn went 24-2 in 2004 and 2006, including an undefeated SEC with an SEC Title in ‘04 with a loaded team. This year’s Auburn isn’t near that good, but they should be pretty solid yet again, and with the mystery of the QB situation at LSU and Alabama being very young this year, honestly it’s tough not to have the Warring Tigereagles as the SEC West favorite.
That said, the Tigers at #10 is a little high for a team replacing both coordinators and with questions of their own at QB. The big story down on the Plains is obviously the implementation of the spread, thanks to the hire of Troy’s offensive coordinator Tony Franklin at the end of last year. The Trojans averaged 34 points/game and 453 yards/game in Franklin’s second year, so there’s obvious reason for excitement for Auburn fans.
Honestly, Auburn has had anemic offenses since the Campbell/Cadillac/Ronnie Brown days, especially the past two seasons with the inconsistent Brandon Cox running things, not 100% most of the time. Kodi Burns made an impact as a freshman as more of a running option to counter from Cox, so the obvious question is can he handle throwing the ball looms.
Enter junior college transfer Chris Todd. Todd played under Franklin in high school in Kentucky, and played in five games for Texas Tech in 2006. Todd already knows Franklin’s offense, and I would expect Burns and Todd to split time running the offense, that I have dubbed (though not my own creation) the “Spread Eagle” offense.
The only other question on offense I see is playmakers at the receiver position. Rod Smith and Montez Billings led the way last year, but neither incite a great deal of fear. The group of running backs does though – Ben Tate, Brad Lester, and Mario Fannin, who will be featured as a receiver as well. All three have some ability to make big plays, and the general assumption is that the new offense will automatically improve the QB play – why that is I’m not exactly sure.
Last year the offensive line, with three true freshman, was a liability and most responsible in Cox’s struggles – he had no time to throw and forced things at times. This year, things are a bit different. All five starters return on the OL, which should bode well for the QB combo and group of talented backs.
Of course, Auburn’s strength under Tommy Tuberville has always been defense, and this year looks to be the same. Don’t discount the loss of Will Muschamp to Texas though, though Paul Rhoads, the new defensive coordinator, had Pitt #5 in the nation in terms of yards/game (including the stifling of West Virginia).
Up front there’s Sen’Derrick Marks, one of the most talented DTs in the nation, and Antonio Coleman, who had 8.5 sacks last year and will have to make up for the loss of Quentin Groves. The LBs, always a position of strength for the Tigers, features Tray Blackmon, Merrill Johnson, and Craig Stevens. Those guys average 214 lbs, so you know that can cover some ground.
The secondary took a hit when likely starter Aairon Savage tore his knee completely. CB Jerraud Powers and SS Zac Etheridge are still back there, but the depth is a question with Savage’s injury.
And lately the Auburn practice fights have been getting some pub, and who knows how much stock you can put into those minor scuffles and how they effect team chemistry. Although when a kid transfers, especially to Memphis (that was just too easy…kidding though, I love Memphis), maybe it’s more. I don’t think anyone will even remember those in a couple months.
With all that core group returning back, there’s reason to see Auburn winning the West. The new coordinators could be canceled out by the favorable schedule in the SEC. Auburn gets LSU, Tennessee, and Georgia all at home, where Auburn seems to always win the big games. The road trips are to the Mississippi schools, Vandy, and Bama, where Auburn is going for win #7 in a row against the Tide. There’s also a little Thursday night trip to Morgantown, where Auburn’s going to demonstrate the SEC strength against West Virginia.
Auburn could very well continue it’s good string of even-numbered year success in 2008.
October 13, 2007: Kentucky outlasts and stuns #1 LSU 43-37 in triple OT, and it looked like the Cats were ready potentially a historic season…
Nope. UK was run over by the Fighting Tebows the next week, showed up flat in a home loss to Mississippi State, and came up short at Georgia and against Tennessee, going from 6-1 to finishing 7-5. Certainly a disappointing finish to a hope-filled season for Kentucky fans, who no longer can wait for basketball season like they used to…
Rich Brooks, much like Bobby Johnson at Vanderbilt, has taken relatively less-talented teams at a basketball-driven, historically tradition-deprived (2 SEC titles – one shared – and just 11 bowl games) SEC school and done well. In terms of relative success, two straight Music City Bowl wins may really be the ceiling for Kentucky in today’s loaded division/league.
That said, last year’s Kentucky team was probably the best in the school’s history, for sure the best in my lifetime. UK was pretty loaded with offensive weapons, most notably QB Andre Woodson, who’s now gone. HB Rafael Little had a very productive career both rushing and receiving and he’s gone. Outstanding receivers Keenan Burton, Steve Johnson, and Jacob Tamme are all gone.
UK typically puts up some pretty nice offensive numbers, but they were above that last year, averaging over 36 points/game (yes, 3OT and 4OT pad that number). The problem is that Kentucky lost most of that offense – returning just four starters – 3 OL and WR Dicky Lyons. The last time UK had this few offensive starters back? 2004, where they averaged under 16 points/game and went 2-9.
That said, I would say the overall talent in Lexington is probably better now than it was just a few years ago. Or in other words, I don’t see UK going 2-10 in 2008. Why? Believe it or not, Kentucky might have a pretty good defense this year.
Don’t laugh. The Cats return 8 starters, and that doesn’t include MLB Micah Johnson, who looks to fill the hole of the departed Wesley Woodyard, one of those guys who seemingly was everywhere on the field. Johnson has that ability. He’ll have Braxton Kelley and Johnny Williams to his left and right and defensive lineman Jeremy Jarmon and Myron Pryor in front of him.
CB Trevard Lindley was a Freshman All-American in 2006 and FS Marcus McClinton looks to rebound after starting just 7 games last year due to injury. Overall, 17 of 22 players are back from the two-deep at the end of last year. UK gave up 56 yards/game less from 2006 to 2007, so there’s been some improvement.
UK will need more defense while the offense gets going, and it may take awhile with the huge hole at QB, where likely starter Curtis Pulley was kicked off the team a couple weeks ago, making the starting job Mike Hartline’s to lose.
Even with the offensive losses, I see UK bowling again. The schedule sets up for Kentucky to just have to win two of their toss-up/underdog games to get to six wins, which is definitely doable. They start off with one of these: at Louisville Sunday the opening weekend.
Can UK continue its success for a third year?
